In April 2025, the European Commission presented ProtectEU, a European internal security strategy designed to help EU Member States ensure the security of citizens across the Union.
Published on Oct 17,2025 at 8:52 AM | Updated on Oct 17,2025 at 9:09 AM

The strategy sets out a work plan aimed at creating a stronger legal framework, improving information sharing and promoting closer cooperation between Member States and EU institutions.

According to the Commission, ProtectEU responds to the growing range of security and hybrid threats facing Europe, including terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, and attacks on critical infrastructure. The initiative promotes what the Commission calls a “whole-of-society” approach, involving not only public authorities but also citizens, businesses, researchers and civil-society organisations, all of whom can contribute to building a safer environment.

The strategy identifies several areas of action: establishing new European internal-security governance; developing new methods for anticipating threats through enhanced intelligence sharing; strengthening tools for law enforcement and justice cooperation; building resilience to hybrid threats; fighting serious and organised crime; countering terrorism and violent extremism; and reinforcing the EU’s role as a global security actor.

 

Evidence base: the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment

The Commission states that ProtectEU is supported by evidence from the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA), prepared by Europol. The EU-SOCTA is a periodic report that analyses trends, structures and threats linked to serious and organised crime in the European Union. It provides a strategic overview of criminal activity and identifies priorities for operational and policy responses.

The 2025 edition of the report outlines the main developments shaping organised crime in Europe. It describes the growing complexity of criminal networks, their cross-border operations and the use of technology to facilitate illicit activities. The EU-SOCTA serves as a reference point for EU institutions and Member States when defining security policies and priorities.

 

Connection with the Preparedness Union Strategy

ProtectEU is designed to complement the Preparedness Union Strategy, a framework published by the European Commission in March 2025 to improve Europe’s collective readiness for future crises. The Preparedness Union Strategy aims to strengthen coordination between EU and national authorities so that the Union can anticipate, respond to and recover from a wide range of emergencies, including natural disasters, health crises, hybrid threats and security incidents.

Both initiatives form part of a broader effort to ensure that resilience and security are addressed in a coordinated manner at European level. The Preparedness Union Strategy establishes structures and tools—such as risk assessments, early-warning mechanisms and capacity-building programmes—that also underpin the preventive and cooperative goals of ProtectEU.

 

Alignment with the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030

Another pillar in the Commission’s vision for ProtectEU is the European defence White Paper objectives set out in the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, which outlines the European Union’s approach to defence and security cooperation over the coming decade. The White Paper identifies priorities for developing European defence capabilities, ensuring interoperability between national armed forces and supporting the defence industry.

By referring to this White Paper, the Commission places ProtectEU within a broader strategic context that links internal-security initiatives with external-defence planning. The Readiness 2030 document is intended to provide guidance for future investments, joint projects and coordination mechanisms in defence policy across the Union.

 

The European Democracy Shield

The forthcoming European Democracy Shield, a new framework intended to protect democratic institutions and processes within the European Union, is slated to become the third piece of the architecture alongside ProtectEU and the other frameworks.

The European Democracy Shield is expected to focus on preventing and responding to interference, disinformation, and other forms of manipulation that could undermine elections or the functioning of democratic systems.

According to the European Parliament’s legislative planning documents, the Shield will bring together measures related to media literacy, election security, and protection of information systems, in coordination with national authorities and civil-society partners. Once established, it will complete the framework formed by ProtectEU, the Preparedness Union Strategy and the White Paper for European Defence.

 

A Coordinated European Framework for Security and Resilience

ProtectEU is positioned by the European Commission as one element within a larger framework for security, preparedness and defence. Together, the initiatives seek to improve the EU’s ability to anticipate threats, share information effectively, and coordinate responses to risks that transcend national borders.

The Commission’s proposal reflects the interconnection between different policy areas—law enforcement, crisis management, defence and democratic resilience—and sets the foundation for continued cooperation between Member States, EU agencies and partners in research and innovation.

As presented, ProtectEU, the Preparedness Union Strategy, the White Paper for European Defence, and the European Democracy Shield form a combined structure aimed at ensuring that the European Union remains equipped to manage present and emerging security challenges.